Preface

Yeshua (Jesus) introduced a concept, which really is quite amazing. He taught that the Creator of the vast expanse of the Universe is so thoroughly connected with HIS creation, that even the very hairs on His disciples’ heads were numbered. We are often tempted to think of GOD as being too high or too busy to have time to be bothered with the details of our lives, yet Yeshua taught that just the opposite was true. He taught that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His Father. GOD was therefore obviously quite aware of His disciples’ necessities and intimately involved in meeting their needs. Our Lord demonstrated that each and every hour of the day is measured off by an omniscient GOD. Our world is not just spinning through space without reason, but all is ordered as part of the eternal purpose of an all-knowing, all-powerful Creator.

When Yeshua was asked when the kingdom of GOD should come, He replied that it doesn’t come "with observation" (LUKE 17:20). Rather, it was already there, already "among them". Although hidden from the natural eye, GOD's kingdom already existed among them, visible only to the spiritual eye. He had exhorted His followers to not only seek that kingdom, but to seek it first as "treasure hid in a field".

If we would desire to enter GOD’s kingdom, we must become "as a little child". As Yeshua affirmed, "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein". A child is hungry to learn in a world full of discovery. Their thirst to understand eclipses almost any other desire they might have. Thus, GOD’s hidden kingdom is realized when the believer steps away from the crowd and diligently seeks it out.

Of course many choose to reject HIS kingdom. Many today are like those of old of whom Yeshua commanded His disciples, saying, tell them, "Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you" (LUKE 10:11). The promise of the kingdom of GOD passes near many today, but how few are prepared to enter its gates. The masses are too often driven by desires which close their eyes to the reality of HIS kingdom.

Following the nation of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and forty years of wandering in the wilderness, upon the day that they were to enter into their Promised Land, Moses revealed a secret unto those who had endured.

DEUTERONOMY 29:4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

Likewise, we today each have our own wilderness, and if we endure we each have our own day to perceive, to see and to hear of that other world. It was written that the children of Israel "wandered in the wilderness", but their wandering was only from their own perspective. GOD knew all along exactly where they were and where they were going. So with us. We may sometimes think that we are lost, howbeit, GOD knows exactly where we are and where we also are going. Our day of enlightenment also comes only after the wilderness journey, never before.

The apostle Paul knew of this hidden kingdom. He had exhorted the believers in Corinth to look "not at the things which are seen [this world], but at the things which are not seen [HIS world]". That would require a spiritual ability, something beyond a natural ability. He also exhorted the believers to "come out from among them [the unbelievers], and be ye separate". Not necessarily physically, but mentally. Paul was encouraging them to no longer live as do the unbelievers, but live as do the disciples of Christ. He also instructed the believers at Rome to "walk not after the flesh but after the spirit" and that "to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace".

He continued teaching them that, "the kingdom of GOD is not meat and drink". These are the things most devote their lives to acquire, which is why they never awake to the reality of HIS kingdom. Rather, the kingdom of GOD is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost". These are the fruit, the characteristics we must acquire so as to be able to enter into HIS kingdom. "For therein is the righteousness of GOD revealed… as it is written, the just shall live [in HIS kingdom] by faith."

When Paul stood accused before King Agrippa, he gazed upon the rich and powerful of that age. He was encircled by those who were esteemed fortunate by his generation, yet he had what they knew little of, for he dwelt in a world they knew nothing of. Paul knew a place they had never been, for he knew the secret purpose of his Creator. Though he conversed with them, his thoughts, passions and affections were in another world. And so he exclaimed,

ACTS 26:29 I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

"…such as I am, except these bonds." He was praying and hoping and wishing that they too would seek out that other kingdom. Their treasures were here. Their perceiving and seeing and hearing were all here where moth and rust corrupts. He knew of another kingdom where moth and rust does not corrupt; another kingdom, where that still small voice whispers the secret purposes of the ages; another world, wherein GOD is a living reality. He knew of a hidden place wherein are found "all the secrets of wisdom and knowledge".

Paul had previously lived in their world, walking after the flesh and understanding only those things that are seen. But then one day as he journeyed through the wilderness he changed destinies. His whole Universe changed, his whole purpose changed, for he found that true treasure, which was "hid in a field".

GOD by HIS grace and mercy sent Paul a light. HE implanted words of truth in Paul’s heart, which "springing up within him" transformed him into a new and better place. Paul stood before the door, which is the word of truth, and entering in he crossed over into life.

Scripture teaches us, that "the just shall live by [out of] faith", so there must be a life that comes out of faith! Another version more correctly renders it, "He who through faith is righteous, shall live". Scripture continues to teach, that this "faith comes by [out of] hearing and hearing by [through] the word of Christ" (Christ is the text). Thus, if you wish to really live, you must have faith. To have faith you must have the ability to hear, and the spiritual ability to hear, comes through the word of Christ.

Our Lord taught that while "the flesh profits nothing", it is His words that are "spirit and life" and that "it is the spirit that quickens [makes alive]". Almost magical, definitely phenomenal is the effect GOD’s words have on the life of an individual who keeps them. GOD’s words will literally transform a person from wandering aimlessly in the wilderness, to finding their purpose in HIS kingdom. The word of GOD will awaken a believer from a living death, to a life filled with more than he could ever ask or even think.